Popularization of Ballet in America

Question 1

John Durang

Answer 1

One of most important dancers during the 1700’s

Known for his hornpipe dance

Question 2

4 Ballet Stars during the 1800’s

Answer 2

Mary Ann Lee
Julia Turnbull
Augusta Maywood–influenced musical theater
George Washington Smith (partnered with Essler on tour to America)

Question 3

The Black Crook

Answer 3

First real musical ever made - 1866
Story about a pact with the devil
Very successful, toured
Local dancers were hired for chorus

Question 4

Lack of American ballet companies in 1800’s because…

Answer 4

Ballet considered insubstantial by regular theatre goers
Ballet was considered a foreign art
No permanent companies–standards of ballet varied from city to city

Question 5

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

Answer 5

The foreign rival to American ballet in the 1930’s
Founded in 1932
Presented old favorites from Diaghilev and new works by Massine
Made up of some Ballet Russe dancers plus 3 baby ballerinas
Factions split off from the company because 1. Neither founder had skills of Diaghilev 2. Fights over legal rights to the ballet

Question 6

Companies after Ballet Russe

Answer 6

1. Original Ballet Russe
   -De Basil’s company
2. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
   -directed by Sergei Denham
   -Massine choreographed for it
   -did symphonic ballets
   -loved by America
   »>Both companies helped spread ballet in America

Question 7

Lincoln Kirstein

Answer 7

The American “Diaghilev”
–novelist, poet, critic–NOT a dancer/choreographer
Wanted an American ballet company/school with American dancers/style
1933 persuaded Balanchine to direct
1934 School of American Ballet opened in Manhattan

Question 8

Serenade

Answer 8

Piece inspired by Balanchine
Used dancers’ mistakes (a fall, late entrance)
1st season in 1935

Question 9

On Your Toes

Answer 9

Balanchine piece, choreographed for Broadway

Question 10

Stars & Stripes

Answer 10

Famous Balanchine piece in America

Question 11

New York City Ballet

Answer 11

Founded in 1933 when Kirstein and Edward M Warburg persuaded Balanchine to come to America to direct
First season in 1935, under American Ballet
Repertoire was small but some inspired works by Balanchine
Struggled between being too foreign and not foreign enough

Question 12

American Ballet Theatre

Answer 12

Founded in 1939 as Ballet Theatre–from the Mordkin Ballet
Est. to present the classics as well as new works by Mordkin in Russian style
1st director was Richard Pleasant
1980 Mikhail Baryshnikov took over as director

Question 13

Richard Pleasant

Answer 13

The first director of American Ballet Theatre
»wanted the company to be a “museum of dance” with many ex. of periods and styles
In 1945, went active in WWII

Question 14

Lucia Chase

Answer 14

Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT

|&raquo_space;did the financial side

Question 15

Oliver Smith

Answer 15

Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT

|&raquo_space;did the set designs

Question 16

Agnes de Mille

Answer 16

Important to ABT bc of her American subject matter
Choreographed: Rodeo, Fall River Legend, Oklahoma!
Known for doing dream ballets in musicals

Question 17

Rodeo

Answer 17

Agnes choreo. for Ballet Russe
Music by Aaron Copeland
Ballet about a tomboy cowgirl

Question 18

Fall River Legend

Answer 18

Agnes choreo. for ABT

Story of Lizzie Borden»killed her family with an ax

Question 19

Oklahoma!

Answer 19

Agnes choreo. for Broadway

Question 20

Jerome Robbins

Answer 20

Influenced American style
Most important Native American ballet choreographer
Combines ballet with jazz, Harlem, and Hollywood styles
Combined ethnicity to ballet
Worked with NYC ballet

Question 21

Fancy Free

Answer 21

1944, ballet about 3 sailors on shore leave during WWII picking up girls

Question 22

Dances at a Gathering

Answer 22

Work by Robbins

Music by Chopin, plotless

Question 23

The Cage

Answer 23

Work by Robbins

Story about insects

Question 24

Afternoon of a Faun

Answer 24

Work by Robbins

Was revised to portray the 2 figures as dancers

Question 25

Joffrey Ballet

Answer 25

Founded by Robert Joffrey in 1956 | Trendy/topical ballets and timeless pieces

Question 26

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Answer 26

Founded by Arthur Mitchell in 1968 To demonstrate that blacks were capable of excelling in classical ballet Done new works and timeless pieces

Question 27

Arthur Mitchell

Answer 27

Was a leading dancer for NYCB Founded Dance Theatre of Harlem Wanted to make aware that blacks were capable of ballet

Question 28

Maria Tallchief

Answer 28

Considered America's first prima ballerina--also first Native American Danced at Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo w. Balanchine First star of NYCB Star role in Firebird

Question 29

Jaques d'Amboise

Answer 29

Principal dancer for NYCB Balanchine created works for him Founded National Dance Institute in 1976

Question 30

Suzanne Farrell

Answer 30

Famous 20th century ballerina Referred to as greatest American lyric ballerina Was paired with d'Amboise Lead in Balanchine's Jewels Principal dancer in Agon with Arthur Mitchell Balanchine created lead roles for her, she was paired with Peter Martins a lot

Question 31

Royal Ballet

Answer 31

Found in 1956 for Britain Founded to provide outgrowth of a real community theatre movement First director was Ninette de Valois>>well organized, firm and prim

Question 32

Ninette de Valois

Answer 32

First director of Royal Ballet | Well organized, firm, and prim

Question 33

Fredrick Ashton

Answer 33

Quinteseential English choreographer Tender and gracious works reveal much about the English temperament Created serene abstractions (Symphonic Variations), scintillating ones, bittersweet romantic dance dramas and fantasies One of the century's leading choreographers Developed the lyricism of his dancers

Question 34

Antony Tudor

Answer 34

Choreo. for the Ballet Club | Moved to American in 1939 to be in 1st season of Ballet Theatre

Question 35

Margot Fonteyn

Answer 35

A musical dancer with exquisite line | Was England's leading ballerina from 1930s to 1970s

Question 36

Bolshoi

Answer 36

State supported school in Moscow, Russia Means 'big' Accused of being crudely flamboyant

Question 37

Kirov

Answer 37

Formerly the Maryinsky In St. Petersburg Too coldly academic